AT&T says that its LTE delivers speeds up to 10 times faster than its older, "3G" network. In downtown Portland, I'm often getting download speeds above 20 megabits per second -- faster than most home Internet connections.

In addition to faster speeds, AT&T says its LTE network has lower latency (better for gaming and video chats) and makes better use of wireless spectrum. That gives us hope that the network won't bog down, the way AT&T's 3G network did, as more people hop onto LTE.

Verizon brought its LTE to the Portland area in July 2011. It already served Eugene and Corvallis, as well as Salem. Sprint has its own LTE network, but hasn't announced a Portland rollout yet.